operation mystery gift

The box. They made me wait until the very end of the present opening to open my two big boxes. In the most recent big box, was a new flat screen television for our bedroom. Frankly the minute that box hit the pile, I new what it was. Mr. Boar had dropped very unsubtle hints and it is as much a present for him as for me. The television that was in our bedroom was 15 years old, and although nothing was wrong with it, it was a technological dinosaur. The new one is fantastic. But let’s proceed to the original mystery box. The one with all the clues and taped over peep holes……

Do you remember me telling you how I love to find junk on the side of the road? Well, this trunk is the beauty that was inside the mystery box.

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Let’s review the list of clues ….

  • it is something I will want. Not anything that I’ve said I’ve wanted. D#2 spotted it at the barn, abandoned in the back storage room
  • it is heavy. not as heavy as I thought
  • it was D#2’s idea once they got it, the Boar took it into his workroom to customize it Then Boar had to refurbish it.
  • when Boar went shopping for the customization, he went to Home Depot, but said that if they didn’t have what he needed, he would go to Kohl’s. New hinges and leather straps. Which if he couldn’t find at Home Depot, he was planning on buying two belts at Kohl’s
  • it is not in the box it came in it is in a wooden box inside the box (see picture taken through carry handle hole in side of box that didn’t get covered in wrapping paper)
  • in order to get it, D#2 did something that was out of the ordinary for her she asked around about who the box belonged to, including talking to trainers that she doesn’t know – pretty bold stuff for her!
  • Boar and D#2 have been cooking this up for a few weeks

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inside the box

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A red Ipod Nano!! Yay!! this was on my list and they even got it inscribed! Here is a close up of the inscription. A quote from Arrested Development. D#2 share my abiding and somewhat compulsive love for quoting all things AD. it couldn’t be more perfect!

Santa_pigHave Yourself a Merry Little Christmas!

Things are shifting into yuletide gear here at Chez Swine. I wanted to grab a quick moment to wish you all the happiest of holidays!

Santa_pigHave Yourself a Merry Little Christmas!

Things are shifting into yuletide gear here at Chez Swine. I wanted to grab a quick moment to wish you all the happiest of holidays!

a post wherein ann seems to have it all. and you’ll hate her for it ….. but she’s okay with that

My spinning guild had its holiday party Wednesday night. In addition to fabulous snacks and spinning, there is a grab bag. As with most grab bags, we have guidelines. The cool thing is rather than $$ amounts, it’s weight amounts – 2 oz. of your handspun.

Another of my holiday traditions is determining who got the best grab bag gift. This is a tradition I keep to myself (except for my gloating expression), but I suspect that most people have that very same tradition. I am pleased to say that I do believe I got the very best grab bag gift – not that I’m competing or anything! ; )

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I shall tell you a little bit about this handspun. But before I do you need to brace yourselves. This handspun has an ending that will slay you.

Ready? First off, it is 5 ounces of handspun (more than twice the specified amount – score!). Secondly, it is 5 ounces of handspun that have been hand-dyed – yeah baby. Thirdly, it 5 ounces of handspun that have been hand-dyed using a natural dye bath of hydrangea and turmeric (does it get any better?). Fourthly, now this is the part, so get ready …… it is 5 ounces of hand spun, natural hand dyed hydrangea and turmeric wool and the hands that did all of this work ………. are 10 years old.

yes, you read it correctly. There is a very young member of our spinning guild. Her name is Emma and she comes to our meetings with her grandparents – who are also stellar spinners. She is somewhere around 10 (anywhere between 9 and 12 is my estimate), is very quiet and she sits there and spins and spins! I believe her brother just won some award at a large alpaca competition. And I was the lucky one who got her gift. I was stunned. We all were. I knew she was spinning – but this skein is magnificent. I LOVE IT Emma!! (not that Emma is wasting any of her time on the Internet – hmmm, maybe I should take a cue from Ms. Em?)

As if all of that weren’t enough, Peggie Ehlers (my spinning guru – except now Emma is giving her a run for her money) had a surprise Christmas present for me……

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You are looking at 440 yard of gorgeous handspun lace weight. It is a blend of baby alpaca, silk and hand painted tencel. I did a particularly lousy job with the camera – this stuff is truly magnificent. Peggie is considering selling her fibers, so if you are salivating go over to her site and leave her a comment. She has been terrible about blogging, but maybe we can bully her into it a bit. And yes, Vicki, Kay ….. that is indeed a pair of Bakelite needles!! maybe she’ll sell some of those too!

ah yes, I was indeed the belle of the ball. At this point you are fed up with me. Not one but two presents to die for. Don’t deny it, I would have had it with me as well ….. but there’s more!

when I got home from the guild meeting last night – practically limping under the weight of my good fortune, this is what greeted me

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go ahead, leave. I can’t stand me either. :)